[jazzking1971]

you need to train by using the command then positive(good)/negative(Ah Ah) bridge and a release

For me, SIT and DOWN and STAND all mean do not do anything else unless I say YES or give another command. Right now the only other command I occasionally give is COME.

Dogs anticipate actions so set him up so that he anticipates your return to release him and nothing else. If he breaks then grab him by the collar and walk him back on your right side and place him in the spot again, don't give the command again just put him there. Wait a few seconds and then release him.

There are a million scenarios to train this. Does he hang out in the kitchen when you are cooking or preparing his food dish? Make him do it then and always bring the reward to him and never call him from his spot unless he's solid.

I've gone to dog parks when he was younger just to work on long down stays. Dogs come and sniff and jump over him and he doesn't move... the second he's move I'd give him the "uh uh" but would soon release him with a ball toss or tug bite. At 12mo your dog might be getting a little old for dog parks.

I'm sure there is some kind of reward you can use, if not then maybe light compulsion is the answer, I haven't seen your dog so I don't know how sensitive he is.

Also consider that dogs use eyes and then ears. He may not even understand the command without body language from you. Can you stand perfectly straight and without eye contact, give your dog a command and have him do it? You can always add hand and body signals later.